The function y = 6.2 (1.01) ^x models a pest population in billions, where x is the number of years after 2000. What will be the pest population in 2012? Give the answer to the nearest hundredth.

The correct answer is: 6.99 billion (as 6.986 billion is rounded off (to nearest hundredth place) to 6.99 billion)

Explanation:

The given function is: y = 6.2 (1.01) ^x - - - (1)

Where x = number of years after 2000

It means that in 2012, the value of x would be 12 as the difference between 2012 and 2000 is 12 years.

Put x = 12 in equation (1):

(1) = > y = 6.2 (1.01) ^12 = 6.986 billion = 6.99 billion